DefenseSaab Secures Extended Swedish Defense Contract for Future Combat Air Systems
Saab has received an order valued at approximately SEK 2.6 billion ($238 million) from Sweden’s Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) covering the period 2025 to 2027.
The contract involves conceptual studies of manned and unmanned solutions from a system-of-systems perspective. Saab will work alongside FMV, the Swedish Armed Forces, the Swedish Defense Research Agency (FOI), GKN Aerospace, and other industry partners.
This award extends and expands the original agreement signed in March 2024. The new phase broadens the scope of research and collaboration between Saab and Swedish defense stakeholders.
The program, known as Koncept för Framtida Stridsflyg (KFS), was launched in 2023 as part of Sweden’s long-term combat aviation strategy. KFS focuses on developing future air combat capabilities that integrate both manned and unmanned assets.
Saab highlights the relevance of low observability, autonomy, and electronic warfare for future combat air systems. These priorities are expected to shape the direction of ongoing and future research activities.
In 2025, Saab and German technology firm Helsing conducted flight tests with the Gripen E using artificial intelligence technology. These efforts underline the growing emphasis on AI-enabled and unmanned operations.
New research under the FMV contract will likely explore the integration of unmanned and AI-enabled elements alongside future manned fighters. The studies are expected to inform Sweden’s next-generation combat air system requirements.
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